What is USB Type C？

Type-C is known as USB Type-C. but most people may only understand through promotion from manufacturers. Next, let us learn about this equipment.

What is USB Type-C ?

USB Type-C is one of types of USB. At present, there are four type for the USB.

1.USB Type-A. it is most common USB, mainly using in computer, charger, mouse, keyboard, U disk and other devices.

2.USB Type-B. it is mainly used in the printer and other devices that doesn't have type-A.

3.Micro-B. it is a well-know charger interface for phone.

4.USB Type-C. what we introduce today is a development trend for USB in the future.

Appearance of USB Type-C

1. Thinner

The thinner devices needs thinner interface, which is the reason why the Type-C was launched. The latest USB-C is 0.83 cm * 0.26cam, only the one third of the traditional USB-A.

2. Without two sides

Like Apple's Lightning, USB-C has two same sides, in order words, whichever you inset is right. So the users don’t worry about the wrong sides that they inset.

Main function of USB-Type-C

1.In theory, the transmission rate of USB-C is up to 10Gb/s, but the latest Apple's MacBook is only up to 5Gbps. Because of the 20V output voltage, it can reduce the charging time. However, USB-A is only 5V/5Gbps.

2.Latest MacBook USB-C can transmit data, charge and connect to the external device to output the video. How dose Apple meet the needs of users who want to use these three function at the same time.

3.Unlike traditional USB, USB-C can two way transmit, which means that it has two sending power way. Therefore, not only can users laptop to charge it, but also use anther device or mobile device to charge the laptop.

4.Although USB-C can be compatible with the tradition USB, users need a adapters. Apple said that not only will Apple officially sale adapters, the third-party companies can produce too.

5.Support high current and high voltage charging to reduce charging time. Type-C is born for quickly charging. In the future, this technology will be improved.

6.Two-way power supply. The USB Type-C can be used to charge the itself as wee as to supply power to external equipment. So that we can recharge in series, which means that using a USB Type-C connect to different devices.

7.Strong development ability. USB Type-C can transmit the various video signal, such as HDMI, DVI, VGA. Generally speaking, its interface can be used as HDMI,DVI, VGA interface. Therefore, you don't buy multi-cable.

The relationship between USB Type-C and USB3.1

Most of people don't make clear these two concepts, because mobile phone manufacturers deliberately confuse the concept. First, let us learn about what the USB 3.1 is.

USB 3.1 is the latest USB transport protocol developed by the USB if institute. USB transport protocols are as follows:

1，usb1.0

2，usb2.0

3，usb3.0

4，usb3.1

5. Thunderbolt interface is made by Apple's, the transmission speed is fastest.

The main difference between these transport protocols is transmission speed. USB 1.0 and USB2.0 are the older and lower speed. At present, the most widely used are USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. mobile phone, U disk, hard disk and other devices are generally combined with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0.

Relationship between USB 3.1 and USB Type-C

After reading the above USB 3.1 introduction, you must know that they are different concept.

USB 3.1 is a transmission standard, and the USB Type-C is a interface standard. Therefore, USB 3.1 support USB Type A, USB Type B and USB Type-C. at the same time, USB Type-C can use usb2.0, usb3.0, usb3.1 and other transmission protocols.

At present, some phone manufacturers promoted that mobile phone with USB Type-C has fastest transmission speed. But this idea is wrong. Only the Type-C used USB 3.1 is fastest.

Three common used USB interfaces

1. Type-A: a standard USB interface

Type-A is one of the most common used USB interfaces. But it has some obvious problems that is must require the special direction to use. Because of the similar two sides of the USB, so we will make a mistake.

2. Micro-B: a standard for mobile devices

Many Andiron mobile phone are currently used Micro-B. up to now, it is widely used in all kind of mobile devices.

3. USB Type-C: it may be a mainstreaming.

Although Type-c is just launched, with the development of the USB Type-C, all kind of laptops , pad and even the smart phone will become to use USB Type-C.

Relationship between Thunderbolt and USB Type-C

According to the test, USB 3.1 is more useful than USB 3.0, about 500MB/s to 600MB/s, even 700MB/s. while USB 3.0 is only 300MB/s to 400MB/s.

Although the nominal interface theoretical rate of USB 3.1 is 10Gbps, which retains some bandwidth to support other functions. So it is actually 7.2Gbps. Therefore, the theoretical transmission can be up to 900MB/s, in the future, the USB 3.1 is improved at least 800MB/s. but now the most importance focused is the USB standard of USB3.0, which was put forward by Internet and other companies. Compared with USB 3.0, the new USB technology uses a more efficient data coding system and provides more than twice the effective data writing. It is fully compatible with existing USB connectors and cables.

More and more people began to know about the USB 3.1, especial the board that provides interfaces for traditional host. Although Intel and the next NO.100 chip still doesn't support USB 3.1. like USB 3.0, it was equipped in third-party chip. The USB 3.1 standard was released in July 2013, compared with USB 3.0, reaching 10Gb/s. and the USB 3.1 code has been changed to 128b/132b, and the bandwidth loss dropped sharply from 20% to 3%, which means than it may reach 1GB/s in practical using.

Like previous upgrades, USB 3.1 has also brought higher transmission rates and fixed all previous problems. Up to now, people has talk about new Type-C of USB3.1. Similar to Apple's Lightning interface, the Type-C interface cancels the previous anti-daily-protection, so it can be plugged in for both positive and negative purposes, eliminating the need to identify the direction of insertion.

Another big advantage for USB3.1 Type-C is the increase in the charging power of mobile devices. The maximum allowable standard for power supply of the USB 3.1 interface has been significantly increased to 20V / 5A (Type-Ar / B only) and up to 100W power output.The Type-C 's highest standard is 12V / 3A. 36W is enough to use some lightweight laptops, which is why New MacBook abandon MagSafe and use Type-C as the charging interface. Functionally, USB 3.1 Type-C also introduces a new Alternate mode (alternate mode), which means that Type-C interfaces and data cable can transmit non-USB data signals.

At present, Alt Mode has supported the DisplayPort 1.3 and MHL 3.2 specifications, while USB-IF is also looking for support for other functional standards, including video interfaces, and other interfaces, such as GbE, which can also be supported by Type-C. Although USB3.1 and USB3.0 still does not have original USB3.1 support. But compared with USB 3.0, the highest access speed of third-party USB3.1 solution can reach more than 60% of original USB3.0's.

USB-C interface is a new type of interface, in the future, there are still some problems in compatibility. Before the popularization of the interface, users still need to use a variety of conversion devices for interface conversion in order to be able to use smoothly. For example, USB-C to USB Adapter converter, USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter(HDMI converter), USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter (VGA converter), also need USB-C power adapter.